This volume investigates the foundational struggle for freedom and equality among African Americans from the colonial era through the end of Reconstruction in 1877. Clayborne Carson, a distinguished historian and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, utilizes a combination of primary source documents and historical analysis to frame the narrative. The text examines how enslaved and free Black individuals navigated systemic oppression while actively shaping the political and social landscape of the United States. By focusing on the period leading up to 1877, the work establishes the critical context for the ongoing pursuit of civil rights.

Scholars and educators frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for understanding the complexities of early African American history. The prose is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize vast historical data into a coherent chronological framework.